Boehner reiterates opposition to same-sex marriage

3/17/13 9:14 AM EDT

Following Sen. Rob Portman's announcement that he supports same-sex marriage, House Speaker John Boehner is reiterating his opposition.

"Rob's a great friend and a long-time ally. And - I appreciate that he's decided to change - his views on this. But I believe that marriage is a union of-- of a man and a woman," Boehner told ABC's Martha Raddatz in an interview airing Sunday on "This Week," adding that Portman, a fellow Republican from Ohio, had called him to discuss the issue.

Asked by Raddatz if he could ever see himself revising his position on the issue if a loved one came out as gay, Boehner said he "can't imagine" his position would change.

"Listen, I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.It's - it's what I grew up with. It's what I believe. It's what my church teaches me," he said. "And - I can't imagine that position would ever change."